Air Fried Maple Chicken Thighs

This maple fried chicken features thighs marinated in a garlicky buttermilk-maple syrup mixture, then crisped in an air fryer for a sweet yet savory dish.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 415 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon granulated onion
• 4 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 cup maple syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 cup tapioca flour
• 0.5 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon honey powder (such as Savory Spice®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an air fryer to 380 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine buttermilk, maple syrup, egg, and granulated garlic in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs and seal the bag well. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.

Step 3

Make dry mix: Combine flour, tapioca flour, salt, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, granulated onion, black pepper, cayenne pepper, granulated garlic, and honey powder in a shallow bowl.

Step 4

Drain and discard marinade from chicken thighs. Dredge chicken through dry mix and shake off excess. Place chicken skin-side down in the air fryer basket.

Step 5

Cook in the preheated air fryer for 12 minutes. Flip thighs and continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 13 minutes more.